clean and paint wheel

This is an Instructables on how to remove stubborn brake dust from a magnesium or aluminum car wheel. Also on how to paint one.
Here is the list of items needed to get started.
klean-strip ks-3 premium paint stripper
Rustoleum universal all surface paint spray can (I picked flat black)
latex gloves
cheap paint brush
plastic scrubbing pad
outdoor faucets and hose with spray head
masking paper or newspaper
masking tapes
acetone
protective eye wear
paper towels
small metal bowl

Step 1 Step one

First, loosen the nuts just a little to the point where it easy to spin it off. then jack the car up. Make sure it on a jack stand, DO NOT LEAVE IT ON THE JACK! Continue to remove the nuts. It may be difficult to remove the wheel. Take a 3 lbs hand sledge hammer and hit it behind the wheel. It should pop right off. Roll it to a place where there is plenty of ventilation. I did this outside on a sunny day.

Comments

[Verum]

You should ditch the hood scoop and spoiler ricer. I'm sure your miata's 100 HP doesn't require the extra downforce a spoiler provides lol /joke. Srsly though, nice write up. Do you know if there is a way to paint a lip on a rim metallic? I want to get some Honda HX wheels and do the center spokes black and rim metallic green and I'm not sure how to go about it.

[TheGavinch]

I'ma take a wild guess and say Miata? Whatever it is, hope it lasts ya, and that all your projects come out as nice as this one!

[CraigSnedeker]

Love painting wheels (have yet to actually do it tho.. :P) cheap, fun, and a great way to customize your car.

[digitaltripper]

Wow I have to say they came out really well!! I have a beetle that has silver rims that I might do this too....Thanks for posting this!!

[RustOleumCathy]

This is great idea! However did you know that Rust-Oleum makes paint specifically for wheels?
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=375

[latemtech]

are you frickin kidding me!? no! i didn't know about that! i just saw the universal paint in home depot. home depot don't sell those wheel paint. huh. i thinki might go order it. thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[RustOleumCathy]

Not kidding at all! It's a new line of products. Actually if you are near an AutoZone you will find everything there! Let me know if you have any questions!

[Holden_vy_s]

Would be a good Instructible with more images of the painting process. Why is your caliper rusty?

[latemtech]

yeah, the camera wasn't available at that time but it really isn't that difficult. as for the caliper, it about 14 years old. it bound to get rusted. However I am in the process of derusting it using electrolysis and will be painting it with high temp paint.

[Holden_vy_s]

I meant the rotor not the caliper, sorry. I painted the front calipers on my car, but they had minimal rust so i just scrubbed it with a wire brush and some petrol to remove any brake dust.

[latemtech]

the rotor a bit rusty because i haven't driven my car for a week and it rained most of the week.